Article carrying strap

ABSTRACT

An article carrying strap for releasably supporting cameras and the like including a single elongated non-elastic flexible strap releasably connected to conventional coupling elements on cameras wherein the strap is worn over the shoulders and the central portion of the strap crosses the chest. The camera or other article is releasably attached to the portion of the strap which crosses the chest by a coupling means which enables the camera or other article to be quickly and easily raised to eye level and then reattached to the chest strap portion.

United States Patent [1 1 Brewer [451 May 20, 1975 ARTICLE CARRYINGSTRAP [76] Inventor: Robert A. Brewer, 15 Castle Park Way, Oakland,Calif. 9461 l [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 422,734

[52] U.S. Cl. 224/5 V; Z/DIG. 6 [51] Int. Cl. A45f 5/00 [58] Field ofSearch 224/5 V, 5 BC, 5 R, 5 A, 224/5 B, 26 R, 26 B, 5 E, 5 L, 5 S;2/D1G. 6; 182/3 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,063,71811/1962 Steinkamp Z/DIG. 6 3,305,148 2/1967 Zimmerman... 224/5 V3,374,508 3/1968 Slimovitz 1 224/5 R UX 3,526,347 9/1970 Kuban 224/5 VPrimary Examiner-Robert J. Spar Assistant Examiner-Jerold M. ForsbergAttorney, Agent, or FirmJames R. Cypher [57] ABSTRACT An articlecarrying strap for releasably supporting cameras and the like includinga single elongated nonelastic flexible strap releasably connected toconventional coupling elements on cameras wherein the strap is worn overthe shoulders and the central portion of the strap crosses the chest.The camera or other article is releasably attached to the portion of thestrap which crosses the chest by a coupling means which enables thecamera or other article to be quickly and easily raised to eye level andthen reattached to the chest strap portion.

7 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENIEUMAYZOIHYS SHEET 1 [1F 3 FATENTEDMAY 20 I975 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 7

FIG.6

PATENTED HAYZO I975 SHEET 3 0F 3 FIG. 12

FIG.14

ARTICLE CARRYING STRAP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cameras. binoculars,sound equipment, breathing equipment and many other portable articlesare commonly fitted with straps so that they may hang from the neckabout the chest area in order that they may be raised to head or eyelevel for instant use. The porblems of hanging relatively heavy articlesabout the neck for long periods of time by a single strap have beenrecognized for some time and there are now several harness arrangementsavailable on the market and in the literature. Such harnesses arerelatively expensive or suitable for only one type of equipment andtherefore they have not found ready acceptance. Other harnesses requiremodifications in the articles being carried; the addition of brackets orthe drilling of holes in expensive camera cases defaces the instruments.

Some harnesses presently available approach the desired simplicity andlow cost which is desired but they require the harness or portions ofthe harness to be constructed from elastic material. Many find that thiselastic material is uncomfortable to wear in the chest area or theelasticity does not hold the instrument firmly enough against the chestarea during vigorous activity such as climbing or skiing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is the use ofa single flexible. non-elastic belt which is placed around the usersshoulders so that the weight of the article carried is taken by theshoulders and back. The single length belt carries at least onereleasable coupling for fastening the strap and article to the wearer. Acoupling means releasably attaches the article to the portion of thestrap which crosses the chest in a transverse direction so that in thecarrying position, the article is firmly attached to the strap and tothe chest area of the person, yet by simply releasing the coupling, thearticle can be easily and quickly raised to head level. Opticalequipment can be raised to eye level, and breathing equipment such asgas masks or other safety respiratory equipment can be raised to themouth and nose area. In one form of the invention, the coupling betweenthe article and strap is a mechanical modification of the article whilein another preferred embodiment the coupling consists of a hook and loopfastener sold under the trademark Velcro.

An object of the present invention is to provide a carrying strap forarticles which must be worn about the chest area and quickly and easilyraised to head level.

Another object is to provide a strap as described which can beinexpensively constructed yet is long lasting and will reliably carryexpensive instruments with a minimum of discomfort to the wearer.

A further object is to provide a strap as described which can be used tocarry a great many different types of articles with no modification ofthe carried instruments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side view ofthe strap constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the torso of the wearer with the strap of FIG.1 in place.

FIG. 3 is a front view of'the torso of the wearer with the strapconnected to an article such as a camera.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a person wearing the strap of the presentinvention. The solid line drawing shows the carrying position of thearticle and strap and the dotted line shows the eye level position ofthe article and strap.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the strap shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is the front view of a modified form of an article used with thestrap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is the rear view of the article shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the article shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a modified form of the strap with the articleof FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 for carrying two articles such as two cameras.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the combination shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front view of still another modified form of an article.

FIG. 12 is the back view of the article shown in FIG. 1 1.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the article shown in FIG. 11 takenalong line 13-13.

FIG. 14 is a front view ofa modified form of the strap and article.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the strap and article shown in FIGS. 11-14.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention consists briefly of the combination of an article 1 and acarrying strap means 2 adapted to releasably hold the article againstthe chest 3 of the wearer 4 in a carrying position and permittingselective eye level positioning in an operating position comprising: (a)the article having an apertured coupling element 6 thereon andreleasable strap engaging means 7 at a lower position thereon adapted toreleasably engage a portion 8 of the strap; (b) the strap consisting ofa single flexible, nonelastic elongated member consisting of thefollowing portions and having a length adapted to span the distance fromthe wearers chest (first chest portion 9), over one shoulder (firstshoulder portion 11), under the arm (first under arm portion 12), acrossthe chest (transverse chest portion 13), under the second arm (secondunder arm portion 14), over the second shoulder (second shoulder portion16), and back to the chest (second chest portion 17); (c) a releasablecoupling member 18 attached to a first end of the strap and dimensionedto releasably couple to the apertured coupling element on the article;(d) connecting means 19 attaching the second end of the strap to thearticle; and (e) the releasable strap engaging means on the articlereleasably engaging the transverse chest portion of the strap.

The strap is preferably a flexible woven material such as nylon having asuitable width to take the load of the camera, or other article. Oneinch nylon webbing is readily available and provides sufficient strengthand load bearing surface.

The article referred to in this application may be a camera and whereverthe term article or camera is used, it is meant to include but not belimited to the following where applicable: camera, binoculars,naturalists or explorers field kit, musical instruments, surgical ormedical equipment, tools, first aid kit, surveyors instruments, weapons,tape recorder, microphone, two-way radio, portable amplifier, gas mask,or any other equipment or supplies that a person might want to lift tohis face or have immediately accessible.

A unique feature of the present invention is the fact that the strap isbut a single length. The strap could be a relatively short length ofmaterial with the coupling means on the very end, but preferably thestrap is fitted with at least one strap adjustment member 21 foradjusting the length of the strap to fit the wearer. A second strapadjustment member 22 may also be used to give additional adjustability.An end 23 of the strap is threaded through an opening 24 in the couplingmember forming a strap loop 26 and is then threaded through theadjustment member 21.

In like manner, an end 27 of the strap is threaded through an opening 28in coupling 18 forming a loop 29 and then is threaded through adjustmentmember 22.

The coupling means such as 19 and 18 may be of various types. Thetypical J hook 20 with a spring metal tongue 25 which is depressed bythe finger is suitable. It should be noted that only one coupling meansis necessary.

The J hook coupling member is fastened to an opening 6 in the article.Most cameras and binoculars are fitted with rings or other couplingmeans. A single simple opening is all that is required.

One of the simplest and easiest means of releasably attaching an articlesuch as a camera to the strap is to attach a portion of a hook and loopfastener 7 to the back portion of the article. A suitable hook and loopfastener is a product sold under the trademark Velcro. The other portionof the hook and loop fastener 31 is attached to the front of thetransverse chest portion of the strap. Preferably the loop portion isattached to the camera and the hook portion of the Velcro fastener isattached to the strap. When constructed in this manner, the loopportions on the camera will not snag the clothing of the wearer whereas,the hook portions of the strap are always turned outwardly.

An alternate means of releasably attaching the article to the strap isshown in FIGS. 11-15. In this form of the invention, instead of using aVelcro type fastener the article is formed with a pair of vertical slots32 and 33 adjacent the sides with transverse openings 34' and 36'communicating with the sides for removably receiving the transversechest portion of the strap. When the strap is threaded through theslots, the article cannot move vertically or away from the personschest.

The article 1 shown in FIGS. llis merely illustrative of a number ofdifferent types of articles that may be carried by the strap. Forexample, the article may consist of a rectangular sheet metal memberwith sides 37, a front 38 and a bottom 39 forming an open receptacle forreceiving tools, instruments and the like.

Only a single apertured element 6' in the article 1' is required asshown in FIGS. 11-15. A single releasable coupling member 18' isconnected to the strap and is dimensioned to be received in the opening6. The other end 41 of the strap is non-releasably affixed to the upperportion of the article 1'.

Cameras and binoculars are generally constructed with two spacedapertured elements such as rings 6 and 42. A second connecting means 19such as a J hook and spring tongue releasably connects to the ring 42connected to the camera.

An alternate form of article instead of the camera shown in FIGS. 3 and4 or the box shown in FIGS.

11-14 may be a simple planar plate as shown in FIGS.

6-8. In this form of the invention, the plate 1 may have a single stripof Velcro material 43 attached to its front face. Any tool or instrumentwhich is desired to 5 be carried may then be constructed with a strip ofVelcro material and thus be releasably attached to the article 1". Thearticle 1" may have either the slots 33 and 34 for attachment to thestrap portion 13 or a strip of Velcro material 31' may be attached tothe back of the article as shown in FIG. 7. In some instances it may bedesirable to have both the slots and the Velcro for attachment to thestrap as shown in FIG. 7.

Still another alternate form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.6-10. This form of the invention shows a system of carrying two camerasor two pairs of binoculars or the like.

The article 1" is formed with a second strip of Velcro material 44spaced above the first strip of Velcro 43 on the front face. The article1 may be formed with a single apertured opening 6" but preferably isformed with a second opening 46. A first pair of elongated cords 47a and47b are attached to the first chest strap portion 9 and the second cheststrap portion 17 respectively. The ends of the cords are then attachedto the coupling elements 6 on the camera 48 as shown in FIG. 10.

A second pair of elongated cords 49a and 4% are attached to the firstand second chest strap portions of said strap. The ends of the cord areattached to a third article such as a second camera 51 at its couplingring 6'.

Camera 48 is attached to the article 1" by means of a strip of Velcromaterial 52 adhered to its back face. This strip of Velcro is attachedto a matching strip of Velcro 43 adhered to the front face of thearticle 1".

Camera 51 is attached to the article 1" by means of a strip of Velcromaterial 53 adhered to its back face. This strip of Velcro is attachedto a matching strip of Velcro 44 attached to the front face of thearticle 1". Preferably, as in the previous examples, the hook portion ofthe Velcro is attached to the article 1" and the loop portions areattached to the cameras.

The operation of all of the forms of the invention are similar and maybe illustrated by referring to FIGS. 14. The strap may be placed aroundthe body in the following manner. First, the camera 1 is held in theleft hand, close to the face and with the lens facing away from thebody. With the right hand, coupling 19 is attached to ring 42 on theleft side of the camera. The loose end of the strap is then dropped overthe left shoulder so it hangs down behind the wearer. Any twists betweenthe camera and the body should be removed. Next, the person should reachbehind at waist level with the right hand and bring the hanging part ofthe strap under the right arm to the front of the chest. The Velcropatch on the strap should be facing forward and there should be notwists. The right hand should continue the motion of the strap aroundthe body, bringing the hanging part of the strap under the left arm,behind the neck and over the right shoulder. The loose end of the strapwith coupling 18 should then be attached to the ring 6 on the right sideof the camera. The two pieces of Velcro, 7 and 31 should then bejuxtaposed and pressed together. The strap is now a harness. Othermethods of placing the strap in harness form may be also used as theperson becomes familiar with the method.

As shown in FIG. 4, the camera or other article is carried at chestlevel. The Velcro strip 7 is firmly attached to the Velcro strip 31attached to the strap and when the two Velcro strips areinjuxtaposition, they will hold the camera firmly to the chest of thewearer. When the camera is to be used, it is a simple matter to firmlypull the camera away from the chest, thereby causing the Velcro fastenerto release. The camera is then raised to eye level. Portions of thestrap 9 and 17 are raised with the camera and since they are stillattached to the camera, the camera will not fall if accidentallyreleased. To replace the camera to the carrying position, the Velcrostrips 7 and 31 are once again juxtaposed and pressed firmly together.

I claim:

1. In combination, an article, and a carrying strap means adapted toreleasably hold said article against the chest of the wearer in acarrying position and permitting selective eye level positioning in anoperating position comprising;

a. said article having an apertured coupling element thereon;

b. releasable strap engaging means consisting of the loop portion of ahook and loop fastener mounted on a substantial lateral rear surfaceportion of said article at a lower position than said coupling element;

c. said strap consisting of a single flexible nonelastic elongatedmember consisting of the following portions and having a length adaptedto span the distance from the wearers chest (first chest portion), overone shoulder (first shoulder portion), under the arm (first under armportion). across the chest (transverse chest portion), under the secondarm (second under arm portion), over the second shoulder (secondshoulder portion), and back to the chest (second chest portion);

d. a releasable coupling member attached to a first end of said strapand dimensioned to releasably couple to said apertured coupling elementon said article;

. connecting means attaching said second end of said strap to saidarticle; and

f. fastener means having the hook portion of a hook and loop fastenermounted on a substantial lateral portion of said mid portion of saidstrap for registered releasable engagement with said releasable strapengaging loops mounted on said article thereby positively restraningside to side, forward, and vertical movement of said article.

2. The article and carrying strap described in claim 1 wherein:

a. said article is formed with a pair of vertical slots adjacent thesides with transverse openings communicating with said edges forremovably receiving said transverse chest portion of said strap.

3. The article and carrying strap described in claim 1 comprising:

a. said article having a second apertured coupling element transverselyspaced from said first aperture;

b. a second releasable coupling member attached to the second end ofsaid strap and dimensioned to releasably couple to said second apertureon said article;

c. said strap having a loop portion formed at a first end and firstadjustment means for selectively lengthening and shortening the lengthof said strap at said first end; and

d. said strap having a loop portion formed at a second end and secondadjustment means for selectively lengthening or shortening the length ofsaid strap at said second end.

4. The article and carrying strap described in claim 1 wherein:

a. said article is formed with an open ended chamber with a top openingadapted for receiving miscellaneous articles.

5. The article and carrying strap described in claim 1 comprising:

a. portion of a hook and loop fastener means attached to the frontportion of said article adapted for releasable engagement with a portionof a hook and loop fastener attached to another article.

6. The article and carrying strap described in claim 20 2 comprising:

a. a second article having a pair of laterally spaced apertured couplingelements thereon;

b. a third article having a pair of laterally spaced apertured couplingelements thereon;

c. a first pair of elongated cords attached to said first and secondshoulder portions at their first ends and adapted for respectiveattachment to said apertured coupling elements in said second article;

d. a second pair of elongated cords attached to said first and secondshoulder portions at their first ends and adapted for respectiveattachment to said apertured coupling elements in said third article;

e. said first article having a pair of vertically spaced hook portionsof a hook and loop fastener means attached to the front portion thereof;and

f. each of said second and third articles having the loop portion ofsaid hook and loop portion of said fastener means attached to theirrespective back areas arranged for releasable attachment to saidrespective hook portions on said first article.

7. The article and carrying strap described in claim comprising:

a. a second article having a pair of laterally spaced apertured couplingelements thereon;

b. a third article having a pair of laterally spaced apertured couplingelements thereon;

c. a first pair of elongated cords attached to said first and secondshoulder portions at their first ends and adapted for respectiveattachment to said apertured coupling elements in said second article;

d. a second pair of elongated cords attached to said first and secondshoulder portions at their first ends and adapted for respectiveattachment to said respective apertured coupling elements in said thirdarticles;

e. said first article having a pair of vertically spaced hook portionsof a hook and loop fastener means attached to the front portion thereof;and

f. each of said second and third articles having the loop portion ofsaid hook and loop portion of said fastener meansattached to theirrespective back areas arranged for releasable attachment to saidrespective hook portions on said first article.

1. In combination, an article, and a carrying strap means adapted toreleasably hold said article against the chest of the wearer in acarrying position and permitting selective eye level positioning in anoperating position comprising: a. said article having an aperturedcoupling element thereon; b. releasable strap engaging means consistingof the loop portion of a hook and loop fastener mounted on a substantiallateral rear surface portion of said article at a lower position thansaid coupling element; c. said strap Consisting of a single flexiblenonelastic elongated member consisting of the following portions andhaving a length adapted to span the distance from the wearer''s chest(first chest portion), over one shoulder (first shoulder portion), underthe arm (first under arm portion), across the chest (transverse chestportion), under the second arm (second under arm portion), over thesecond shoulder (second shoulder portion), and back to the chest (secondchest portion); d. a releasable coupling member attached to a first endof said strap and dimensioned to releasably couple to said aperturedcoupling element on said article; e. connecting means attaching saidsecond end of said strap to said article; and f. fastener means havingthe hook portion of a hook and loop fastener mounted on a substantiallateral portion of said mid portion of said strap for registeredreleasable engagement with said releasable strap engaging loops mountedon said article thereby positively restraning side to side, forward, andvertical movement of said article.
 2. The article and carrying strapdescribed in claim 1 wherein: a. said article is formed with a pair ofvertical slots adjacent the sides with transverse openings communicatingwith said edges for removably receiving said transverse chest portion ofsaid strap.
 3. The article and carrying strap described in claim 1comprising: a. said article having a second apertured coupling elementtransversely spaced from said first aperture; b. a second releasablecoupling member attached to the second end of said strap and dimensionedto releasably couple to said second aperture on said article; c. saidstrap having a loop portion formed at a first end and first adjustmentmeans for selectively lengthening and shortening the length of saidstrap at said first end; and d. said strap having a loop portion formedat a second end and second adjustment means for selectively lengtheningor shortening the length of said strap at said second end.
 4. Thearticle and carrying strap described in claim 1 wherein: a. said articleis formed with an open ended chamber with a top opening adapted forreceiving miscellaneous articles.
 5. The article and carrying strapdescribed in claim 1 comprising: a. portion of a hook and loop fastenermeans attached to the front portion of said article adapted forreleasable engagement with a portion of a hook and loop fastenerattached to another article.
 6. The article and carrying strap describedin claim 2 comprising: a. a second article having a pair of laterallyspaced apertured coupling elements thereon; b. a third article having apair of laterally spaced apertured coupling elements thereon; c. a firstpair of elongated cords attached to said first and second shoulderportions at their first ends and adapted for respective attachment tosaid apertured coupling elements in said second article; d. a secondpair of elongated cords attached to said first and second shoulderportions at their first ends and adapted for respective attachment tosaid apertured coupling elements in said third article; e. said firstarticle having a pair of vertically spaced hook portions of a hook andloop fastener means attached to the front portion thereof; and f. eachof said second and third articles having the loop portion of said hookand loop portion of said fastener means attached to their respectiveback areas arranged for releasable attachment to said respective hookportions on said first article.
 7. The article and carrying strapdescribed in claim 1 comprising: a. a second article having a pair oflaterally spaced apertured coupling elements thereon; b. a third articlehaving a pair of laterally spaced apertured coupling elements thereon;c. a first pair of elongated cords attached to said first and secondshoulder portions at their first ends and adapted for respectiveattachment to said apertured couplinG elements in said second article;d. a second pair of elongated cords attached to said first and secondshoulder portions at their first ends and adapted for respectiveattachment to said respective apertured coupling elements in said thirdarticles; e. said first article having a pair of vertically spaced hookportions of a hook and loop fastener means attached to the front portionthereof; and f. each of said second and third articles having the loopportion of said hook and loop portion of said fastener means attached totheir respective back areas arranged for releasable attachment to saidrespective hook portions on said first article.